Aer Lingus connecting traffic now accounts for 38pc of total passenger numbers, the airline’s Jenny Rafter told a trade event in Dublin last evening. She said that fleet renewal next year, when the airline receives two new aircraft, would lead to further expansion and new destinations for the former national flag carrier.
Aer Lingus, Seville and the Spanish tourist board on Seville hosted 35 members of the Irish travel trade in Little Lemon on South Anne Street in Dublin to celebrate the renewal of Aer Lingus’ winter route to Seville.
Presentations were given by Jenny Rafter of Aer Lingus, Laura Pena of the Spanish tourist board and Antonio Martin of Andalusia tourism.
Signor Martin introduced a new campaign by filmmaker Hans Zimmer which concentrates on culture and history: “surrender to your crush Andalusia” has not a single image of a beach in the campaign. He also promised to complete the circuit of the ITAA conference when Andalusia hopes to host the event once again – hinting that the event will be hosted by Jaén, having been hosted by Malaga in 2010, Seville in 2011, Granada in 2013, Jerez in 2015, Cordoba in 2019, Huelva in 2022 and Almería in 2024. Antonio Martin promotes Andalusia around the world and has had recent successes with the hosting of Roots Europe in Seville, and participation in ITB Shanghai in China.
Antonio Martin spoke of his affection for the Irish market stating that in a previous life, he must have been Irish.
